A ROAD campaigner is calling on two councils to push for the A120 to be dualled from Harwich to Horsley Cross.

Harwich councillor Ivan Henderson said it's time to lobby the Government to stump up the cash and widen the trunk road as it faces having to be completely relaid within the next decade.

Mr Henderson has started his fight after speaking with Martin Fellows, the regional director operations east Highways England.

He said: "I have been advised in writing that the Wix by-pass was built during the 1970s using a concrete bay type of construction and is approaching the end of its anticipated life.

"He went on to say the long term aim is to renew this stretch of the road but it will require significant planning and the cost of the scheme will be significant.

"Therefore we are calling on MP Bernard Jenkin and Highways England to lobby the Government.

"If we need a new restructured road, because it's gone past his anticipated life-expectancy, we may as well, if we are having that total disruption, be looking at going all the way and dual that road."

Mr Henderson, who has previously hit out at the state of potholes on the road, has sent a written question to Essex County Council's next full council meeting on May 15.

His question asks the portfolio holder to recognise the urgent need to focus on the A120 between Horsley Cross and Harwich and asks him to commit the same level of attention and energy into this section of the A120 as he has to the need for improvements to the A120 between Braintree and the A12.

He also asks councillor Kevin Bentley to "seek the necessary funding both to renew and dual both sections of this very important road".

Mr Henderson is also set to speak about the issue at Tendring Council's full council meeting, also on May 15, and ask the council to write to Essex County Council in support of calls to dual the A120.

It is thought a bid for funding to relay the current A120 stretch between Harwich and Horsley Cross will be made in the 2020/2025 roads budget.

But Mr Henderson wants to call for cash to dual the road at the same time.

He added: "How many months will that road be closed for this.

"We just can't have these HGVs going through rural areas for that amount of time, it's ridiculous.

"We may as well put that investment in now to start the dualling process."

He hopes the work could be done on each carriageway in turn, meaning drivers would not have to use diversion routes through villages.